SHORT ANSWER STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS - A Raisin in the Sun
Make notes on the following themes and symbols asa you read the text:
Themes
Lena’s Plant
Sunlight and Darkness
Money
George Matheson’s White Shoes
Family
Love and Trust vs. Deceit and Selfishness
Stereotyping and Prejudice
Symbols
Lena’s Plant
Sunlight and Darkness
Dreams and Dreams Deferred
The Strength in Family
A Raisin in the Sun
Act I Scene One
1. Why did Walter ask Ruth what was wrong with her?
2. Why was Ruth upset when Walter gave Travis the money?
3. Who are Willy and Bobo?
4. Walter said, "Damn my eggs . . . damn all the eggs that ever was!" Why?
5. Who is Beneatha?
6. Why was Mama getting a check for $10,000?
7. Why did Beneatha say she wouldn't marry George?
8. What was Beneatha's attitude towards God?
9. What happened to Ruth at the end of Act I Scene One?
Act I Scene Two
1. Who is Joseph Asagai?
2. What did Ruth find out at the doctor's office?
3. Why is Asagai's present to Beneatha appropriate?
4. Why is Asagai's nickname appropriate?
5. What does Mama say is "dangerous"?
6. Where did Ruth actually go instead of the doctor's office?
7. Why did Mama call Walter a disgrace to his father's memory?
Act II Scene One
1. What was Beneatha's family doing when George came in?
2. What are "assimilationist Negroes"?
3. What did Mama do with her money?
4. What was Walter's reaction to Mama's purchase? Ruth's reaction?
Act II Scene Two
1. How did Ruth find out Walter hadn't been going to work?
2. Where had Walter been going instead of to work?
3. What did Mama do for Walter?
Act II Scene Three
1. Who was Karl Lindner, and why did he visit the Youngers' house?
2. What was Walter's reaction to Lindner?
3. What presents did Mama get?
4. What news did Bobo bring to Walter?
Act III
1. Why didn't Beneatha want to be a doctor anymore?
2. How did Asagai define "idealists" and "realists"?
3. What does Asagai ask Beneatha to do?
4. What fault does Mama find with herself?
5. What solution does Walter have?
6. Why didn't Walter take the money Lindner offered?
7. Did the Youngers stay or move?
End of Novel Questions
1. What does the setting add to the story?
2. Are the characters in A Raisin in the Sun stereotypes? If so, explain the usefulness of
employing stereotypes in the story. If they are not, explain how they merit individuality.
3. Describe the relationship between Ruth and Walter.
4. Describe the relationship between Mama and Walter.
5. Describe the relationship between Beneatha and Walter.
6. What function does the character of Travis serve in the play?
7. Explain how the names used in the play are appropriate.
8. Is the story of A Raisin in the Sun believable? Explain why it is or isn't.
9. Suppose Walter would tell a friend about the events of this play fifteen years from the
day they moved into the new house. What do you think he would say?
10. Define "successful."
11. Pretend you are Ruth. Write a letter about your family situation (prior to Walter's
turning down Lindner's offer) to a friend of yours who has moved away.
12. What do you think happened to the Youngers after they moved to Clybourne Park?